I'll be arriving in Rome on the 11 June and plan to head straight to Sorrento - most guides seem to recommend this as an ideal base to explore south Italy.

But would 10 days be more than enough and that I should perhaps put 6 days there and travel up north to Florence for another 4 days before heading back to Rome for my flight home on the 11th day?

Actually, my plan is only to explore the South but now it seems I could have better use for the remaining days in Italy.

Advice, anyone?

Do you really mean "South Italy" when you say you want to use Sorrento as a base? Or do you mean the Amalfi Coast? Even then you could probably break it up between Sorrento and somewhere else like Amalfi or Capri.

Why not Rome or Naples and the Amalfi Coast? Seems more efficient than going all the way up to Florence and then backtracking.

Sorrento is a great base to explore the Bay of Naples area, but the "south" of Italy is pretty big. By explore the south, do you mean Sicilia, Calabria, Puglia and so on?

OK, I just looked at the map and realised I have given a wrong impression of the "south" in my mind.

The first and foremost place I would like to explore: Naples, Pompeii, Mt. Ves, Herculaneum (& the Museum), Positano, Amalfi, Paestum and if possible, stretch it to Palermo (& Mt. Etna).

Too ambitious? Seems so to me which was why I have this half-hearted plan to stop mid-way and go up north - tho I agree it's quite pointless.

But I am quite clueless whether this is a sensible itinerary, even if just a sketchy one. So if you've travelled this route, please advise how much I can cover with 10 or 11 days.

Doesn't help I'm leaving this Sunday and no accomodation has been booked!

The itinerary you propose is quite doable, with the possible exception of Sicily. Everything else is in pretty close proximity. Since there seems to be a lot you want to see in the Naples/Amalfi Coast area, I would limit myself to that.

If you REALLY like whirlwind travel (and if you don't mind some careful planning, there's nothing wrong with it) you could probably squeeze in a couple of days in either Florence or Palermo. I don't know the logistics of getting to Sicily, but I'm guessing despite it's also being in the south, getting to Florence might be easier and less time-consuming.

Spend a few days in Positano - you can hang on the beach, hike the hills, rent a boat, day trip to Ravello (gorgeous!) and Capri...you can easily spend 10 days on the Amafli coast, leave Florence for another trip or you'll spend too much time in transit and you'll wish you were back on the beach in Positano!

Cimbrone - I'm greedy, I know. Ha! So for my 11 days 10 nights to spare, I've decided to give more time to Naples and the Almafi Coast: 4 days and 6 days respectively.

teelin - I do plan to base myself in Sorrento for the 1st 4 days (for all the Naples must-do, must-see and the next 6 days at Positano (Positano, Almafi, Ravello, Capri and Paestum (at least!).

If only I didn't have to leave for Rome one day earlier to catch my flight home (need to reach FCO by 14:55hrs), I would surely add another day to the Almafi Coast.

Thank you all for the advices!!

I'm sure you'll find much to enjoy with your revised plan. If you are interested and have the time, you might want to include a brief stop in Salerno - it has a lovely waterfront and the Duomo is quite special.

Yeah...hopefully I get a better feel of how I'm gonna spend my time there and see whether I can make it to Salerno for a day trip. Even half a day is good enough!

sg_cin:
I think you're going to thank yourself later for paring down this itinerary to just the AC/Capri and Naples. And believe me, there is a ton of good information searchable on this forum for your planning pleasure!

If you'd like to read our trip report from the area, you can find it here:
http://www.onelittleworld.com/campania_1.html

Have a great trip sg_cin. I will be looking forward to hearing about your trip as we are renting an apartment near Sorrento (St Agata) for 2 weeks this July. I have only visited Sorrento, Capri, and Pompei as day trips from Naples and am very much looking forward to exploring as much as the area as possible. I can't wait. Have fun!

I'm totally looking forward to it.

Having spent 2 sleepless night trawling the net on what I should or should not see, I've decided to catch up on sleep and spend my flight there planning that out.

We all want that perfect holiday. I do too. And it's when you try so hard that you realise the best way (for me, that is) is to just take it easy.

BTW, any help from any one about that Villagio Resort Nettune at Sorrento? Don't know what category of accomodation that falls under but it's so close to the sea and so cheap - I'm tempted.

I know the area where Villaggio Nettuno is located but I haven't seen the place up close and personal. If you want to hang at the beach for most of your time there, you are in a good location to do so. But if that's not your plan it may not be worth it. Will you have any of your own transportation? If not and if you want to travel to various sites/cities along the Amalfi Coast then I think it would be a bit of a hassle to depend on local buses to take you to Massa center or Sorrento to catch other transportation. Have you been to their website - www.villaggionettuno.it?

yeah, i've seen the website. Reckoned as much the way u pointed it out...unless I have plans to be a beach bum...which I doubt so. 10 days aint exactly long enough to wile days at the beach.

I'm starting to go crazy - bought my tix 4 days ago and now i can't decide where i want to stay. Actually, it's my bank account that can't decide. Where I'm coming from, euro cost twice as much. Seems like my only option in Sorrento is the seemingly yucky hostel next to the train station. Then again, can't complain if u're just paying for EUR16.....?

The next level up in price are obviously all snapped up by now. So, really, I'm left with the cheapest/lousiest and the most expensive ones. haha. What a dilemma.

Oh well. Youth Hostel it is. I'll just make sure I spend the least time there.